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Investigations in the domestication potential of Cuphea as a source of vegetable oil containing medium chain fatty acids (MCFA)
Project
Project code: JKI-ZL-08-3176
Contract period: 01.05.2008
- 30.06.2013
Purpose of research: Applied research
The Mesoamerican genus Cuphea belongs to the Lythraceae, species of which have not yet been established as agricultural crops in European agriculture. Cuphea species are of interest because of the high contents of saturated medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) in the seed oil. The current sources of MCFA are the lauric oils extracted from coconut and palm kernel. The industrial input of MCFA oils in the EU for the production of surfactants was 870,000 tons in 2003. There are research activities towards the transfer of Cuphea genes to oilseed rape via genetic engineering. Another focus is on the conventional breeding of Cuphea as a crop plant per se. The domestication of Cuphea and its adaptation to fit specific agricultural conditions would open up an additional source of agricultural added value. Due to its sexual incompatibility to all other oilseed crops grown in Germany, Cuphea as an oil crop would facilitate the quality management in the growing of oil plants.
Section overview
Subjects
- Specialised crops
- Genetic Resources
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops (JKI-ZL)
